Urban Sociology (SY0013)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-SYURB

The city is a 'laboratory' where social change can be investigated at a number of levels. The promise of urban sociology was to unpack the forms of contemporary political, cultural and social change in the city and to sketch the urban dweller's reaction to these changes. The triangular relation between urbanism, social change and experience also forms the basis to this course. We will be venturing into the city armed with a set of concepts provided by classical sociology, the Chicago School, Human Geography and cultural studies in order to "map" key facets of urban life. The first half of the course will address the "space of the modern" and assess the impact of urbanisation in key 19th century cities such as London, Paris and Berlin. The second half will turn the analytical spotlight on the cities of our own epoch. Partly based on students' own investigations into city space.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Sociology, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Friday	11:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Through the study of cities, this course will enhance specific aspects of your subject knowledge of key concepts and theoretical approaches and your ability to analyse the emergence of cities within a variety of social and historical contexts. It will aim to develop your ability to address sociologically-informed questions about urban environments as well as improve your awareness of contemporary issues and problems facing today's cities.
On completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Reveal the nature of urbanism as a distinct 'way of life'.

2. Show an awareness of the triangular relationship between social change, the city and personal identity.

3. Assess the relevance of theory to social, public or civic issues.

4. Examine the recent turn to notions of space, place and identity in social, cultural and geographical theory.

5. Exhibit a form of critical enquiry into their own experiences of the city and social space.

6. Illustrate particular problems that cities of the late 20th and early 21st centuries face.

7. Undertake and present scholarly work including the discussion and evaluation of theory and evidence.

8. Show an understanding of the social processes underpinning social change and social stability.